How can I keep my tent warm without electricity?
Camping is a pastime that can be fun and educational for the entire family. In order to get the most out of your time communing with nature, you must take the time to learn as much about camping as possible. Read the tips that follow and you will be able to plan an adventure you will never forget.
It's imperative that you pitch your tent before the sun goes down. After the night falls, pitching a tent, locating firewood and making food can be difficult. Some people cannot see very well at night, and this makes setting up camp at night next to impossible. Avoid this situation by finding shelter before the moon is out.
You need to make sure your sleeping bag is sufficient for the climate. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. On the other hand, you don't want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you're going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. Using a lighter sleeping bag in the winter could actually lead to you developing hypothermia.
When packing for your camping adventure, make sure you pack only what you need for mealtimes. If you are at the campground, your food will have to stay cold so it does not spoil. If you are on the trail, any additional or excess food can be a burden. If you pack just enough food for the time you are on the trail, you will not be weighed down by excess weight.
As a courtesy to other campers, don't leave your lighting on overnight, if you are close to others. Pack a timer that you can attach to your lights that will automatically shut them off after a certain time. Leaving lights on overnight is a popular complaint among most American campers!
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
Ask a park ranger or a tour guide to let you know about all the places to check out while you are camping. This is a good idea so that you know you are getting the most out of your camping experience, you don't want to take a camping trip and miss out on a fun experience.
If you're going camping with a pet, take them for a vet visit beforehand. Inform your veterinarian of where you plan to go camping. Get your pet updated on all their vaccinations and be sure they have protection against ticks, mites, and fleas. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of a pet.
Not only are oranges a great rent glamping tent snack for camping, but they also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. After enjoying the sweet juicy fruit, use the inside of the peel to rub on skin for a chemical free insect repellant.
Understand how your food will be cooked. You need to consider how you are going to prepare all meals. Will you need charcoal? Perhaps you need a small propane tank. It can be difficult to cook every meal over an open fire; no matter, how much fun it might seem.
When camping with children, create special themed breakfasts. Bring some packaged foods, beverage boxes and even fruits, then tie them to trees near the campsite. Let the kids go out hunt for their breakfast. This adds a little sprinkle of adventure and excitement to any camping trip.
Make sure that the cooler you are taking with you is air tight. You do not want your food to spoil because the cooler was allowing the cool air to get out. Store your cooler in a shaded area where the sun will not work against it. This could save your food and your stomach.
Before you head out for your camping trip, be sure that you take the time to practice setting up your tent. You do not want to get yourself frustrated at the site. Setting the tent up the second time will be much easier than it was the first time around.
Take along a battery operated radio when camping. A radio will keep you up-to-date on any late-breaking news and weather reports. A radio will also give you entertainment during those quiet evenings sitting around the campfire. Or if you prefer, pack a guitar for you and your campers' enjoyment.
Do not leave your sleeping bag rolled up until right before it is time for you to get some sleep. Lay it out right away so that it can loft up and give you the highest level of insulation. Do the same for any sleeping pads you have brought along.
Your tent should be kept ventilated and free of moisture. When you sleep in a tent that is completely sealed, condensation can build up on the roof, floor, walls, and sleeping bags from perspiration and breathing. You may even wake up wet. Tents usually have some openings in them to ensure that moisture doesn't build up too much.
If you have more than three people camping with you, take along more than one tent. You are going to want to have some privacy at one time or another. The additional tent will make it possible to get some "me" time while at the camp site. It also gives you additional storage to keep animals out of your supplies.
When camping, many people wake up in the morning, only to find out they they have left items out that are now wet. This is because of the morning dew, which can hardly be avoided. If the weather conditions are right, dew is inevitable, so make sure you put things away.
You should now be able to see that you can have lots of fun when you're camping. Apply the ideas presented here as a roadmap to planning your next time in the great outdoors. They will help you avoid the negatives and enjoy all of the positives that camping has to offer.